Style Shrink

Dear Style Shrink...

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My wife recently bought me a tan leather weekend bag from Patrick Grant’s new range. It is a beautiful thing and I would like it to look as good in the future as it does right now. I know how to look after my leather shoes and leather soles, but unsure about care for a bag. Can you advise?

Dear Style Shrink...

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I am attending my girlfriend’s brother’s wedding at a stand-alone restaurant. I was thinking of wearing a navy blazer with a white T-shirt, paired with grey trousers and black shoes. Is this combo smart enough?

Are designer clothes getting too expensive? Having perused several websites and also the current supplement from GQ, some designers don't appear to have a problem asking £300 for a pair of shorts,£1150 for a polyester jumper,and god knows what for shoes,coats and bags, much of which has that "here today gone tomorrow" look about them,i.e. little long term value. I am sure we are being asked to pay for design, exclusivity and in some cases the fabric,however is there an element of keeping up with competition,hungry shareholders and going after the super rich, pricing out us mere mortals!

Dear Style Shrink...

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My office dress code is not very formal, so I usually wear chinos and blazer with no tie. I was wondering if dark green chinos (from Massimo Dutti) with blue suede loafers with tassels (also Dutti) are considered to be smart casual, and if such colours – especially blue suede for the loafers – are appropriate for office wear.

Dear Style Shrink,
I'm afraid I have 2 questions. I am an officer in the Army so have no end of "uniform" including Officers' Mess friendly chinos and blazers but am looking to add an element of personal style. Of course I have a decent few suits but am looking to turn a 2 piece Jaeger into a 3 piece. What are the rules regarding waistcoats? Can they be a different colour, material, cut without making me look like a clown or try to catch the surf of a trend?
My second question is; I am turning 30 next month and am thinking of investing in something that will last a further 30 years, I am looking at a budget of £500 and preferable British in cut and style. Bit of an open question, but what singular item do you think any 30 year old should aspire to own?
Kind regards,
Ed

Dear Style Shrink...

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I have got a vintage-themed black tie birthday party coming up in September. I want to invest in a good velvet dinner jacket but am having real trouble actually finding one online or in store. Reiss had some good ones last autumn but has discontinued them. I am an average athletic 38R and have a budget of up to about £500. I am currently deciding between black, navy or burgundy so any advice on that would also be great!